Small-Batch olive oil bottling for local brands

Local brand owners, gift and hamper makers, wedding and corporate gift buyers, farmers' market sellers and independent shops.

A per-bottle price covering the oil, bottle and labelling, or a fee for filling oil the customer supplies. Seasonal gift orders in the fall and winter can be a big part of sales.

• Careful, clean hands-on work
• Costing and pricing
• Dealing with small business customers

• Check whether bottling and selling oil is covered by the shared kitchen's permit, or whether you need your own
• Check CFIA rules on a Safe Food for Canadians licence and on bilingual labelling
• Home bottling may not be allowed for food sold to others. Check with your health unit and municipality
• Product liability insurance before selling to anyone
• Oil going rancid if stored badly. Use dark bottles and date your batches
• Seasonal demand, with quiet months in spring and summer

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on kitchen rental, bottles, labels and any filling equipment. Renting time in a licensed shared kitchen is a lower-cost way to begin.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your customers and batch sizes. Demand is seasonal, with quiet months in spring and summer, so plan your cash flow accordingly.

Home bottling may not be allowed for food sold to others, so check with your health unit and municipality. Also check whether a shared kitchen's permit covers bottling, whether you need your own, CFIA rules on Safe Food for Canadians licensing and bilingual labelling.